25 December 2012

Three weeks ago, we received news that the sponsor of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society team we've been riding for had opted to allocate charitable efforts in other directions next year. Although we understand the corporation's need to streamline expenses in this economy, the announcement was heartbreaking for both The Lizard and me.

We had known for a while the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was planning to roll out a new website for 2013, and we excitedly anticipated what we hoped would be a much more user-friendly participant center.

The new website debuted early. 2012 fundraising was brought to an abrupt halt. I was a mere $5 from reaching High Roller status. I would have donated that much myself had I known time was out. Once again, my heart was shattered.

This added to the chaos already going on in my head and heart. I had been unable to ride this year's event, my first time ever as a High Roller, at the last minute, thanks to a rekindled undiscovered injury from my March bicycle wreck. Initially, before we knew I had injured my back in addition to my wrist, my diagnosis was not a pleasant one. Full recovery was not likely. Healing wasn't going to happen.

I wasn't sure how far I would be able to ride once my body does finish rebuilding, assuming it does. And now, we had no team.

(The corporation that sponsored the team I rode for hopes to have a team in 2013, but both The Lizard and I feel what limited team resources are available should go to employees of the company and their family members, not to outsiders like us.)

Both The Lizard and I stewed.

In addition, my work group moved to a new floor, and along with this being my employer's busiest time of year, there was not much time to work on a new snowflake pattern booklet. Inspiration and motivation were running a tiny bit dry.

Then something magical happened. Twice. Pure magic. The kind of magic that comes from on High.

First, the worst of my back pain DID begin, albeit turtle slow, to heal. My back was getting better, even though it wasn't supposed to. More medical attention and a new diagnosis. I still have degenerative disc disease brought on by trauma to the disc. My arthritis is still a huge factor. But I am no longer considered "severe." I am between moderate and severe. Yay a thousand times for hyaluronic acid! (And plenty of sleep, plenty of water, no sugar, no red meat, lots of stretching, lots of prayer...)

As I prepared for my first session of physical therapy, to the music of my iPhone, of course, I received notification from a vigorous supporter stating he would be jump-starting my 2013 fundraising drive.

I had my first donation, and I hadn't even registered yet. Something inside me swelled. Something I haven't felt in a very long time.

For weeks, The Lizard had been coaching me that if I think or say I can't ride 75 miles in a day, I would not be able to ride 75 miles in a day. Twice in a row to boot. He said I would have to say AND believe I CAN ride 75 miles in a day. Twice.

Something that's been absent inside me ever since June began to blossom. It grew, and grew, and grew.

For about six years now, The Lizard has fantasized about forming our very own MS-150 (now BikeMS) team. He has been saying for what feels like forever that a Snowcatcher jersey would be the coolest jersey in the entire MS-150.

What if we formed our own team? What if I designed our jerseys? And shorts! Must have matching shorts!

What if I do finish another snowflake booklet, and what if I do indeed raise enough money next year to be a High Roller in 2014? To RIDE as a High Roller in 2014. To ride again. To ride 75 miles in a day again. Back to back. What if I set the goal, believing I can?

I believe this new enthusiasm growing inside me just might be my best Christmas present this year.

5 NOV 2013 UPDATE: I'm now registered for next year's ride. My new fund-raising page is located here.

Please contact your chapter of the MS Society and explain your situation! I am 99% sure they would take your $5 and make you a high roller. Especially with your history and your future plans.

It broke my heart when I first started reading this post but I had hope by the time I finished reading in entirety. You have conquered so much in your lifetime, this is just another hill to climb! Well, maybe in your case it is a mountain but you CAN and will do this again.

Thanks for all your support, Brenda. I did think of contacting the local office when they first closed out the donation site for the year, but at that moment, I still didn't know if I would ever be able to ride the entire event again. I was without hope. A big, dark vaccuum.

Now they truly have closed out their books for 2012, so it is too late for this year. But there is hope for next year, and that's what I needed. I think I'll be able to achieve High Roller status again, and I believe I can continue improving so I can ride the whole 150 miles. No sagging allowed! :)

Thanks, Sue! I'm working on a jersey. Two of them, in fact. I found a place that doesn't require a minimum of ten or twenty jerseys to print, and I found two places where I can buy the lycra, and I already have patterns... I might try sewing my own to see how they come out!!!

I just put some coins in the donation bucket for 2013 Deborah. You are an inspiration. I've been going through the list of blogs I subscribe to, because I know I can't possibly read all of them...but yours stays! I look forward to reading and seeing every word and every photo you share. Love and prayers! <3

Hear Him

12 More Weeks!

Welcome!

This is where you'll find me when I'm not wishing upon stars, chasing stars, stepping on stars or making stars...

Not All Are Invited...

If the bunnies or rattlesnakes ever figure out how to get into the feeder, we're in trouble!

Heart Strings

Greg and Susan long for a child. Abused and abandoned five-year-old Gene needs a new family, The match of family to child seems perfect, but the past refuses to let go. Find out what it takes to rebuild a broken family and to heal damaged trust.

Contributors

Webmaster

flake at snowcatcherphotos dot com

Thought for the Day

2020 on Two Wheels

Bicycle miles so far this year:

Peeps

Heels Over Head

The story of a serious automobile accident 16 years ago and how I finally got back behind the wheel, after battling six months of crippling fear, to continue the photographic journeys you enjoy every weekday here on Snowcatcher.

Copyright

All content of this website, including text and photographs, is the sole property of Deborah and Brett Atkinson (unless otherwise stated). Nothing may be copied or reproduced in any manner without written consent. All rights reserved.

Dreamland

Disclosure of Material Connection

Snowcatcher does not receive compensation for content on this blog, and Snowcatcher has no material connection to brands, topics and/or products mentioned herein. Snowcatcher has no monetary interest in products or services featured, photographed or used here, although Snowcatcher does independently sell Snowcatcher photography and crafts via third-party websites.

Text Relief

Privacy Policy

The Lizard and Snowcatcher do not collect or share personal information with third parties and do not access or store visitor information collected via Blogger or Google Analytics. When hosting a giveaway, information collected to enable delivery is not stored.

When soliciting donations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Davis Phinney Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, we do not collect or store information collected by the NMSS, DPF or MJFF.

We do not post paid third-party advertising and are not aware of any cookies or tracking technology used by such advertisers on this website. We are not responsible for content illegally plagiarized from this website and republished elsewhere but do enact takedown procedures when such illegally plagiarized content is reported or discovered.

We do require commenters to sign in, but only to prevent spam and protect readers from potentially harmful links; no visitor information required by sign-in process is collected or stored by The Lizard or Snowcatcher. We maintain security via secure socket provided by our web host. If changed at any time, this Privacy Policy will be updated in this space.